Cameran Eubanks’ White Patchwork Ruffle Sleeve Top on Instagram

Cameran Eubanks Instagram Fashion 2021

While Cameran Eubanks is seen promoting Charleston artist @P_Nut_the_Legend in this post on Instagram, she’s also inadvertently promoting this super cute white patchwork ruffle sleeve top. Which lucky for y’all appears to have been commissioned in mass quantity, so scroll on down below if you’d like to purchase this amazing work of art to hang in your gallery closet.

Fashionably,

Faryn

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Click Here to Shop it at Tuckernuck (where Cameran got hers)

Photo & Info: @CamWimberly1

Originally posted at: Cameran Eubanks’ White Patchwork Ruffle Sleeve Top

Have you ever uttered the words, “I wouldn’t be caught dead in that outfit!?” Well, you just might be – literally speaking – if you leave it to your family to decide what you’ll wear when the time comes for you to make your final public appearance. Now is the time to consider your final fashion options.

You May Just Get Lucky

Undoubtedly, some families get it right. The family of Salsa Queen Celia Cruz gave it a lot of thought. True to her diva style, she wore more than one outfit at her 2003 funeral, which took place in two cities.

For a public viewing in Miami, Florida’s Freedom Tower, Cruz was dressed in an off-white gown with a feather boa trimmed jacket, while for her wake at Frank E. Campbell’s in New York City, she was clad in a cream-colored gown with a white-sequined overlay.

Custom-made floating wedges with wood bottoms, and a change of wigs, completed both looks.

Funeral director William ‘Bill’ Harley, who accompanied Cruz’s remains to Miami, oversaw the clothing changes and reapplied her cosmetics daily.

Choice Was Not an Option

But few people should expect such expressions of individuality if they have not thought about their clothing options. For a long time, choice was not part of the funeral tradition.

“When I began my career, everyone wore gowns and suits. It’s a formal occasion and people dressed in their Sunday best,” said Harley.

Andrea Basile, the owner of Basile Funeral Home in Brooklyn, New York, concurs:

“When I started, there were only two options in women’s clothes: burial garments and a gown previously worn on a special occasion. It was all evening wear. Caskets were fully open, so clothing had to be full length.”

To fill that need, burial garment companies around the country became the designers to the dead, making their merchandise available for purchase through the funeral home.

Pastel burial gowns, usually made of polyester or nylon, and often adorned with satin and lace, were designed with the deceased in mind.

Taking post-mortem changes into account, necklines were high, sleeves long, and the material ample, easily adjustable for size. The addition of tulle, artfully arranged around the dress, gave an ethereal look.

Responding to that demand, Abigal Press, a New York funeral supply company with roots that go back to 1936, expanded its product line by purchasing a local burial garment company.

The clothing became “a convenience item” for families making funeral arrangements, said company president Jeff Gaines. But as the garments became more popular, they also became pricier, causing families to use the deceased’s own clothes, or to buy new from retail stores.

According to Gaines, burial garments being sold these days are usually for those who die in nursing homes when “mom hasn’t had a dress in years, nothing fits, or her weight has dropped tremendously.” For the most part, they have become “antiquated products.”

Shopping One’s Closet

Unless you make it known how you want to be dressed for the afterlife, it will be decided for you by your survivors.

Poring through a loved one’s closet in search of the outfit that best reflects who the deceased was can be emotionally wrenching. That closet holds a treasure trove of memories. For some, making the choice can be deeply rewarding.

“People may not know why, but when something is right, or better, they respond. They feel better about their dead and proud of themselves,” notes Basile.

For others, though, the choice may be difficult, and funeral directors have an important role to play. Harley believes that “the personal clothing of the deceased works best.” However, he adds, “we [as funeral directors] need to be specific when speaking with families about appropriate clothing for the deceased.”

When Harley meets with families at the arrangement conference, he asks them to provide clothing similar to what the deceased would have worn for a social occasion, including a full set of undergarments.

Stressing the need for a high collar, and long, opaque sleeves, he explains that these attributes will mask arms that are too thin or too heavy, or which have been poked and prodded with medical apparatus.

Being specific is especially important when the deceased is young. Harley is reminded of the funeral of a young woman who died suddenly. Her grief-stricken mother allowed her daughter’s best friend to choose her clothing.

The girl’s choice was a black leather miniskirt and a sleeveless blouse with a plunging neckline. Not an appropriate choice for a fully-autopsied remains, which is generally the case when one is young and death is sudden.

The condition of the remains must be taken into consideration when selecting clothes.

Familiar Clothes Can Help the Grieving

Open caskets are not as common as in the past. But if your wish is to have an open coffin, deciding yourself in advance what to wear really helps. Family and friends will remember seeing you in your favorite outfit and it may ease their grief and bring comfort. You can even ask to wear your favorite perfume as well as type of makeup.

Also, another idea is to wear something that you made yourself or that was made for you.

Buying New

Over the years, Basile, who once worked for Pierre Cardin, has put together funeral outfits for both women and men in her care.

“I think women look better in a lightweight jacket, from silk to knitted.” She favors double-breasted jackets on men and a single turn in the tie. “A suit is fine but a navy blazer and charcoal or gray slacks are my favorites,” says Basile.

“I always emphasized the clothes should be appropriate for the person; keeping the deceased still looking like themselves.”

That was certainly true for Basile’s mother, who had purchased a pair of black velvet slacks with a matching bateau-neck tunic for herself not long before she died. With the addition of a sheer black jacket, chosen by Basile, it would serve as her final outfit.

“She looked fabulous,” Basile shares about her 96-year-old mother, whose natural dark brown hair had no more than a streak of gray. “Even though the casket was closed, I was happy she looked so much like herself. Her vanity would not have been frustrated.”

Being Comfortable

Although most times one’s last outfit is chosen by others, that is not always the case. Harley recalls the preparedness of an elderly lady, who had taken the time to think through her funeral.

“She had set aside a beautiful pink floral nightgown with a satin quilted bathrobe, a matching bracelet, and rosary beads. When she died, she looked beautiful in her pink ensemble which complemented the mahogany casket,” Harley remarks.

The woman was among those who opt for lounging pajamas and slippers, or a negligee, to be comfortably at rest.

When Basile’s own grandmother died at the age of 99, she dressed her in a similar style.

“I went to Bloomingdales and bought this incredible ice blue, silk jacquard nightgown, and matching jacket. All the lace on the bodice and bed jacket was pale beige. It was so appropriate and so beautiful that for years people asked for the same thing as we’d used for my grandmother,” shares Basile.

“Baby boomers have certainly introduced changes to funerals,” says Harley. But he notes that funerals have, for the most part, continued to be formal affairs, as evidenced by “the large percentage of traditional funerals, as well as the protocol of viewing the deceased.”

“Exceptions do exist,” he adds, recalling the funeral of a 50-year-old man who requested beforehand that on the morning of his funeral he be changed out of the suit he had worn for his wake into khaki shorts and a Hawaiian print shirt.

Today, when there are myriad choices, Basile draws the line at message T-shirts. “I think people should use anything personal as long as it is respectful. Exposing the dead requires at least some discretion.”

Funerary Fashion Tips

• Opt for long sleeves and high necklines.
• Avoid sheer and clingy fabrics.
• Sweaters and shawls work wonders for a snug or stained sentimental outfit.
• If unsure of size, choose the larger option.
• Keep the deceased’s favorite color in mind.
• A bright scarf does wonders for both a monochromatic suit and a thin neck.
• Buying new and on a budget? Consider an off-price store like TJ Maxx, Marshalls, or Macy’s Last Act.

Who do you think would make the best choice when it comes to your funeral outfit? Can you count on family or would you rather decide yourself? Do you have any special garments or accessories you’d like to wear at your funeral? What do you remember about the clothes worn by the deceased at funerals you have attended? Please share your thoughts with our community.

Melissa Gorga’s Tie Waist Jeans on Tik Tok

Real Housewives of New Jersey Instagram Fashion

As you may have heard me say before, most of the Housewives are nice about answering messages about what they’re wearing. BUT I always feel bad bothering them so I try not to reach out if I don’t have to (hey, I’m from the Midwest and now I live in the South, it’s just how I roll ). Bu when I saw Melissa Gorga’s tie waist jeans on TikTok / Instagram and couldn’t find them after a good hour search, I knew this was one of those instances I just had to ask. And while I’m very grateful to Melissa’s the deets, her answer isn’t exactly what I wanted to hear. But never fear, I found some great Style Stealers to replicate the look (dance moves not included).

The Realest Housewife,

Big Blonde Hair

Button Up Jeans Sold Out at Envy by MG

Photo: @MelissaGorga

Originally posted at: Melissa Gorga’s Tie Waist Jeans

Most female friendships start in college and during the early years of marriage. Some women are fortunate and develop long-lasting friendships in high school or as far back as childhood. I was not one of those lucky women.

I have always been perplexed by this and have often wondered what traits it takes to make and keep long-term friendships with other women.

Even romantic relationships fall apart if one outgrows the other. This can cause a rift, and eventually, the couple will grow apart. This issue literally changes the dynamics of the person and the relationship. It changes who we are at a cellular or soul level.

What felt right or what we once wanted has now been replaced with new ideas that can alter our priorities and belief system. What are the choices in this scenario?

For the sake of the relationship, some stifle who they have become and try to stick it out at the cost of betraying both themselves and their partner. In comparison, others have the courage to admit that they no longer feel fulfilled and that their needs have changed.

A Spiritual Point of View

From a spiritual point of view, we create relationships to mirror, learn and expand ourselves. Before we are born, we enter into soul contracts to unite with others to learn and experience certain lessons. These contracts can take a lifetime, while others may only be for a short while.

Many friendships between women are designed to belong and offer many valuable lessons and support. And others are fleeting.

For example, a colleague at work that is instrumental in helping you come to terms with your marriage problems. I believe that she was placed in your path at that time to help you see what was really going on in your marriage. This was the purpose of the friendship, and once completed, you go your separate ways.

For me, friendships with other women have always been difficult. I think that the dynamics of female friendships are complicated. There are a lot of emotions and issues that can come into play. I have experienced in friendships jealousy, competitiveness, and gossip, to name a few.

We all can have issues about careers, relationships with partners, children, and money. I am not saying that men don’t have the same issues, but their communication is much more direct and less charged with emotions.

Friendships with Other Mothers

Many of us find our soul tribe of women during our early married or partnered life. Both people come with their own friendships from school or work. For most couples, the ideal scenario is to have both sets of friends blend beautifully together.

This offers a larger social circle for the couple while also maintaining love and support from their original friendships. I think that this works really well but can change when children start coming into the picture.

We tend to develop bonds with other mothers with the same school-age children. New friendships arise with other mothers at preschool, elementary school, or playgroups. Our children are developmentally at the same place, and therefore we are at the same place in life.

This naturally creates a sense of community that fosters emotional and practical support for one another. It really does take a village, and these other women become a valuable part of our lives.

During the school-age period of our lives, we are busy with work and our family life. Each is very demanding, and finding balance is not always an easy task. We often integrate these new mom friends into our married life. It is not uncommon to start to socialize as a couple and not for the children’s sake. This begins a new social set of friendships that can last a lifetime.

Empty Nest Friendships

Many of these friendships dissipate when the children grow up and move on with their own lives. The common bond that we once shared is no longer present. These friendships, with time, can evolve into something else altogether.

Now it’s about love and support during divorces, teenage problems, and financial issues, which can create a deeper bond. This concept is based on being at the same place and stage in life, therefore, going through similar life lessons and experiences. I can’t think of a stronger bond than that.

Female friendships can endure many ups and downs together. It is at times like these that friendships are tested. I know that I have lost many friends who I thought were dependable during difficult times. The fact is that we don’t need a tribe of superficial friends but just a handful of real ones.

Remember that friends can come into our lives and are not meant to last forever. Our needs or expectations of friendships change as we go through life. As we grow older, we have less time or tolerance for superficial friendships, which tend to fall away.

Friendships Later in Life

I will admit that finding female friends later in life can be difficult. We don’t have the same opportunities to meet other women the way we did when we were younger. And what we are seeking in a friendship now is very different.

Many of us are widowed, divorced, or alone and are lonely. Our need to socialize now consists of simple one-on-one companionship that is both supportive and meaningful.

Our female friendships have played an important role in our lives. They help shape us into who we are and teach us so much about life. Chances are you’ve had issues and arguments along the way. You learned how to support another woman through her perils and accepted her guidance and love as you faced yours.

Being a good friend means telling each other the truth in a constructive, loving way. I am grateful for the ones that I have had and the life that did that for me when I needed it the most. Sometimes a friend is the only person that can bring compassion and be there during the hard times.

For those of you that have good friends during this phase in life, you are truly blessed. The process of growing older is different for all of us. The reality is that this process can be scary, but if we have friends by our side, the journey is far easier.

Chances are many of your friends have come and gone, including by death. I hope that their passing brings memories of their love and support, and please take solace in knowing that you did the same for them.

So in closing, let’s think about the many friends that have come and gone during our lives and what they taught us. They say the most important thing in life is to love and that we are all here to experience exactly that.

In that case, we have more experience loving friends than any other kind of love. Here’s to female friendships whose presence is so impactful that their love and support are needed for every phase of our lives, including this one.

Do you still have friends from your childhood? Did you meet most of your female friends through your children? Did you lose friends during a divorce or other difficult situation? Do you value your girlfriends now more than ever? When was the last time you befriended someone? Please share with the community!

Teresa Giudice’s Blue Wing Print Leggings

Real Housewives of New Jersey Season 11 Episode 13 Fashion

Teresa Giudice had a cute sibling moment in her blue wing print leggings cleaning out her garage with brother Joe Gorga. It’s nice to see Joe excited for Teresa’s new man, and hopefully the good vibes both of them are feeling are legit for life because it’s nice to see her in on the Wings of Love*.

*Yep, I just referenced a song from 1982 that I don’t really even know how I knew. Someone send me some Ageless by Ramona stat because it’s looking like I’m getting to that age. 

The Realest Housewife,

Big Blonde Hair

Click Here to Shop her Leggings

Originally posted at: Teresa Giudice’s Blue Wing Print Leggings